Experiencing illness since early childhood brought me many things. Not just the pain, isolation, and anxiety. It also made me resilient. Empathetic. Thoughtful. Creative.

Making art was always my favorite hobby, but as my life and illness progressed, it became a much-needed escape. I didn’t have the energy for socializing the way others did, but I could happily spend hours alone with my sketchpad.

While isolation is not always bad, I have learned as an adult the importance of community. I discovered chronic illness communities -- known as spoonies -- and was delighted in how many other spoonies have also turned to the arts! We may not be able to be together physically as much as we would like, but we often send one another the things we’ve created as a way to stay connected, show love, and find purpose.

My hope for this shop is twofold:
1. To be a platform for people with chronic illness to sell the beautiful things they create
2. To create a medium for connection between people with and without chronic illness

Selling the art that comes from illness can accomplish so much! It brings purpose and joy to those creating, who may not have other sources of income or other means for sharing their art. It combats the ableist and capitalistic notions that our lives are unproductive, bringing value (and no, I don’t just mean monetary!) to what we are able to contribute! After all, how many people throughout history, from Emily Dickinson to Stephen Hawking, were able to contribute so much to society because of, not despite, their illnesses?

Because we have stayed in silence for so long, most people without chronic illness have no idea what it’s like, and feel uncomfortable asking. I have begun creating art that, rather than just expressing me, expresses my chronic illness experience. I hope that creating beautiful, silly, whimsically ill art will help bridge that gap; not only will people be able to understand our experience more, but they will be able to purchase gifts for the spoonies in their lives that acknowledge illness, that open up conversations.

Feel free to reach out with questions or to request custom pieces! Thanks for being part of this much-needed movement.

With love and spoons,
Ariela